, Description:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of ignition systems for tractors.
BACKGROUND
Conventionally, tractors are provided with a power takeoff lever which enables an operator to draw the mechanical power from a tractor engine for operating the equipment connected to a power takeoff shaft. The equipment that are primarily connected to the power takeoff shaft are lawn aerators, cutters, cultivators, diggers, rotavator, generators, blades, and the like. The operator is required to be cautious while operating such equipment as there is always a certain level of risk involved while handling them.
However, in some cases the operator may inadvertently fail to position the power takeoff lever in neutral while shutting down the engine. In such cases, as soon as the operator tries to crank the engine, the power from the engine is fed to the attached equipment which causes the equipment to operate unexpectedly, which is not desired. Such unexpected operation of the equipment poses a threat to the person, materials, machines, and vehicles positioned in the vicinity of the equipment. Additionally, such unexpected operation of the equipment may also damage the equipment itself.
Therefore, there is felt a need to provide an ignition interlock system which alleviates the abovementioned drawbacks and prevents the tractor engine from cranking unless the power takeoff lever is positioned in the neutral mode.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an ignition interlock system for tractors;
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an ignition interlock system for a tractor that ensures safety of an operator;
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an ignition interlock system for a tractor that ensures safety of equipment connected to a power takeoff shaft;
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an ignition interlock system which prevents accidental operation of the equipment connected to a power takeoff shaft; and
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an ignition interlock system for a tractor that prevents cranking of a tractor engine unless the power take-off lever is positioned in the neutral mode.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages an ignition interlock system for a tractor. The ignition interlock system comprises a battery, a starter motor, a power takeoff lever, and a power takeoff switch.
The power takeoff lever is connected to a cam profile, wherein the cam profile is configured to be displaced under the influence of the power takeoff lever. The power takeoff switch is in abutting relation with the cam profile such that angular displacement of the power takeoff lever results in operation of the power takeoff switch via the cam profile. The power takeoff switch is configured to either couple the battery with the starter motor, thereby providing a starting current to the starter motor, when the power takeoff lever is in neutral position or de-couple the battery from the starter motor when the power takeoff lever is in at least one of the operating positions.
In one embodiment, the system includes a gear neutral switch. The gear neutral switch is connected in series with the power takeoff switch, wherein the gear neutral switch is configured to operate based on the displacement of a gear lever. The gear neutral switch is also configured to facilitate coupling of the battery with the starter motor via the power takeoff switch.
In an embodiment, the battery is coupled with the starter motor when the gear lever and the power takeoff lever are in neutral position respectively, thereby providing the starting current to the starter motor.
In another embodiment, the system includes an ignition key socket. The ignition key socket is configured to couple the battery with the starter motor via the power takeoff switch upon rotationally displacing an ignition key in the ignition key socket.
In still another embodiment, the ignition interlock system includes a notification unit. The notification unit is configured to indicate the position of the power takeoff lever. In an embodiment, the notification unit includes at least one light emitting diode (LED), a buzzer, a display, or any combination thereof.
In an embodiment, the power takeoff switch is configured to actuate under the influence of the cam profile.
In another embodiment, the power takeoff switch is selected from the group consisting of relay, push button switch, toggle switch, double pole double throw (DPDT) switch, joystick switch, and pressure switch.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
An ignition interlock system, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a circuit diagram of an ignition interlock system for tractors;
Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of a power takeoff switch of the ignition interlock system of Figure 1 coupled with a power takeoff lever in neutral mode;
Figure 3a and Figure 3b illustrate a schematic view of the power takeoff switch of the ignition interlock system of Figure 1 and the power takeoff lever of Figure 2 in different operating modes respectively; and
Figure 4 illustrates a circuit diagram of the ignition interlock system of Figure 1 with a gear neutral switch in series with a power takeoff switch, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – Ignition interlock system
102 – Power takeoff (PTO) switch
104 – Ignition key socket
106 – Battery
108 – Starter motor
110 – Notification unit
202 – PTO lever
204 – PTO shaft
206 – CAM profile
402 – Gear neutral switch
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure envisages an ignition interlock system for tractors. The envisaged ignition interlock system provides an approach for preventing the tractor from being started / cranked when certain unsafe conditions exist. The ignition interlock system of the present disclosure prevents a tractor engine from cranking unless the power take-off lever is positioned in the neutral mode, thereby preventing accidental operation of the equipment connected to a power takeoff shaft. The ignition interlock system of the present disclosure thereby ensures safety of a person, materials, machines, devices, and vehicles positioned in the vicinity of the equipment.
The ignition interlock system for tractors, of the present disclosure, is now described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 3b.
Figure 1 illustrates a circuit diagram of an ignition interlock system 100 (hereinafter referred as “system 100”) for tractors. Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of a power takeoff switch 102 of the ignition interlock system of Figure 1 coupled with a power takeoff lever 202 in neutral mode. Figure 3a and Figure 3b illustrate a schematic view of the power takeoff switch 102 of the ignition interlock system 100 and the power takeoff lever 202 in different operating modes respectively.
The system 100 comprises the power takeoff switch 102, a battery 106, a starter motor 108, and a power takeoff lever 202.
The power takeoff lever 202 is pivotally connected to a cam profile 206 such that the cam profile 206 is configured to be displaced under the influence of the angular movement, i.e., clockwise and anticlockwise movement of the power takeoff lever 202. In an embodiment, the power takeoff lever 202 is positioned on the left hand side of operator seat so as to facilitate easy accessibility. Further, the power takeoff lever 202 is configured to enable a power takeoff shaft 204 of the tractor to draw the power from the engine, thereby operating the equipment attached to the power takeoff shaft 204.
In an embodiment, the power takeoff lever 202 is configured to displace angularly in order to select at least one operating mode or neutral mode. In another embodiment, the power takeoff lever 202 is adapted to be positioned in either of the following modes, i.e. CRPTO mode, neutral mode, and 540 RPM mode. In still another embodiment, the neutral mode is positioned in between the CRPTO mode and the 540 RPM mode.
Further, the power takeoff switch 102 is in abutting relation with the cam profile 206 such that the angular displacement of the power takeoff lever 202 operates the power takeoff switch 102 under the influence of the cam profile 206. The power takeoff switch 102 is configured to either couple the battery 106 with the starter motor 108, thereby providing a starting current to the starter motor 108, when the power takeoff lever 202 is in neutral position or de-couple the battery 106 from the starter motor 108 when the power takeoff lever 202 is positioned in either of the operating modes.
In an embodiment, the system 100 includes an ignition key socket 104. The ignition key socket 104 is configured to couple the battery 106 with the starter motor 108 via the power takeoff switch 102 upon rotationally displacing an ignition key in the ignition key socket 104.
In one embodiment, as depicted in Figure 4, the system 100 includes a gear neutral switch 402 along with the power takeoff switch 102. The gear neutral switch 402 is connected in series with the power takeoff switch 102, wherein the gear neutral switch 402 is configured to operate based on the displacement of a gear lever (not shown in the figures). The gear neutral switch 402 is configured to facilitate coupling of the battery 106 with the starter motor 108 via the power takeoff switch 102. In such cases, the battery 106 is only coupled with the starter motor 108 once the gear lever and the power takeoff lever 202 are in neutral position respectively, thereby allowing the flow of starting current to the starter motor 108 from the battery 106.
In an embodiment, the power rating of the battery 106 is 12 volts.
In still another embodiment, the ignition interlock system 100 includes a notification unit 110. The notification unit 110 is configured to display the status of the power takeoff switch 102, status of the gear neutral switch 402, position of the power takeoff lever 202, position of the gear lever, or any combination thereof. In an embodiment, the notification unit 110 includes at least one light emitting diode (LED), a buzzer, a display, or any combination thereof.
In another embodiment, the power takeoff switch 102 is selected from the group consisting of relay, push button switch, toggle switch, double pole double throw (DPDT) switch, joystick switch, and pressure switch.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an ignition interlock system that:
• ensures safety of an operator;
• ensures safety of equipment connected to a power takeoff shaft;
• prevents accidental operation of the equipment connected to a power takeoff shaft;
• prevents cranking of a tractor engine unless the power take-off lever is positioned in neutral mode; and
• prevents cranking of a tractor engine unless both the power take-off lever and the gear shifter lever are positioned in neutral mode or either of these.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation

Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. An ignition interlock system (100) for a tractor, said system (100) comprising:
a battery (106);
a starter motor (108); and
a power takeoff lever (202) connected to a cam profile (206), wherein said cam profile (206) is configured to be displaced under the influence of said power takeoff lever (202);
characterized in that, said system (100) comprising:
a power takeoff switch (102) in abutting relation with said cam profile (206), wherein said power takeoff lever (202) is configured to be angularly angular displaced to operate said power takeoff switch (102) via said cam profile (206) to:
• couple said battery (106) with said starter motor (108), thereby providing a starting current to said starter motor (108), when said power takeoff lever (202) is in neutral position; or
•de-couple said battery (106) from said starter motor (108) when said power takeoff lever (202) is in at least one of the operating positions.
2. The ignition interlock system (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a gear neutral switch (402) connected in series with said power takeoff switch (102), wherein said gear neutral switch (402) is configured to operate based on the displacement of a gear lever, and is further configured to facilitate coupling of said battery (106) with said starter motor (108) via said power takeoff switch (102).
3. The ignition interlock system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said battery (106) is coupled with said starter motor (108) when said gear lever and said power takeoff lever (202) are in neutral position respectively, thereby providing the starting current to said starter motor (108).
4. The ignition interlock system (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes an ignition key socket (104) configured to couple said battery (106) with said starter motor (108) via said power takeoff switch (102) upon rotationally displacing an ignition key in said ignition key socket (104).
5. The ignition interlock system (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a notification unit (110) configured to indicate the position of said power takeoff lever (202) and status of the power takeoff switch 102.
6. The ignition interlock system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said notification unit (110) includes at least one light emitting diode (LED), a buzzer, a display, or any combination thereof.
7. The ignition interlock system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power takeoff switch (102) is configured to actuate under the influence of said cam profile (206).
8. The ignition interlock system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power takeoff switch (102) is selected from the group consisting of relay, push button switch, toggle switch, joystick switch, double pole double throw (DPDT) switch, and pressure switch.